Main description:

Although distant metastases are the most dreaded situation in the evolution of cancer of every organ, the medical literature has surprisingly given little attention to the anatomical relationship between the primary tumor and metastasic sites. Only risk factors, treatment possibilities, and survival results are extensively examined.
Stimulated by the occurrence in his practice of some puzzling and unexpected metastases, the author reviewed more than 12,000 references. He looked for anatomical relationships highlighting the relation between the location of the primary tumors and the particular patterns of metastasis observed. It would seem that the `pathways and flows' are apparently a more decisive factor in the implantation of the metastases than the `seed and soil' properties of the cancer cells and the metastatic site.
Aided by his colleague Dr. T. Geukens, M.D., the author includes original anatomical drawings, illustrating the sometimes unexpected pathways the cancer cells follow in order to reach the organs where they will become lodged and give rise to metastatic tumors. The subject has apparently not been exhausted in the literature and several ideas are given for further research.

Contents:

Part I: The Metastasis and its Primary Introduction. 1. Metastases to the Thoracic Organs. 2. Metastases to the Abdominal organs. 3. Metastases to the Digestive System. 4. Metastases to the Urogenital System. 5. Metastases to the Nervous System. 6. Metastases to the Head and Neck. 7. Systemic Metastases. Part II: The Primary and its Metastases. 8. Metastases from Thoracic Tumors. 9. Metastases from Tumors of the Digestive Tract. 10. Metastases from Abdominal Tumors. 11. Metastases from Urogenital Tumors. 12. Metastases from CNS - Tumors. 13. Metastases from Head and Neck Tumors. 14. Metastases from Systemic Tumors. Epilog - Overall Lessons. Illustration Credits. Subject Index.